MIRACULOUS
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
Have you ever had a story so good you couldn’t wait to share it? What about a miracle? What would define as a miracle? Is it only when we see an impossible thing happen, or when something small happens that we can’t explain? Miracles come in all shapes and sizes, but we can know that they come from God and it is clear it was a gift from Him.
BIBLE STORY
Let’s do this fun activity. Pour milk into a shallow container, then add drops of food coloring in the center of the container of milk leaving a small space in the middle. Place dish soap to the end of a cotton swab and place the cotton swab in the middle of the food coloring. Watch to to see what happens to the colors as they mix and move. Whaat a cool experiment! Look at how all the colors mixed and swirled! Although that was something pretty amazing, in our bible story today we will not only see something amazing, we will see a miracle. Can you tell what you think a miracle is? A miracle is something only God can do that we can’t really explain. God can make what is impossible for us, possible! This week we will read that through a miracle people believed in God and became followers of Jesus.
Materials: milk, shallow container, food coloring, cotton swab, dish soap
Read or listen to the scripture Acts 9:36-43
What was Tabitha known for in her area? (For doing good and helping the poor)
What happened to Tabitha? (She died)
What did the disciples urge Peter to do? (To visit at once)
What did Peter find in the room upstairs? (The widows crying and showing the clothes Tabitha had made for them)
What did Peter pray after he sent the women out? (Tabitha get up)
What did Tabitha do after Peter said these words? (She opened her eyes and sat up)
What happened after this miracle was performed? (Word spread all cover Joppa and the people believed in Jesus)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Play a game of pin the bandage on the patient. Draw an outline of a body on a whiteboard or on a small poster board that is hung on the wall. Give your child bandages or masking tape to place on the poster board drawing. Play the game as you would “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” by spinning the player around a few times, blindfolded and them pointing them in the direction of the drawing to place their bandage on. Was it easy or hard to place the bandage in the right place? Although the bandages may not have made it on our patient, we were able to get a few on. Our story this week showed us that what Peter did was a miracle. Others were able to witness this miracle of a Tabitha being dead and then raised to life. The witnesses knew that was not just by accident but the God they served performed that miracle. We can also share the miracles we have witnessed with others.
Materials: Small poster board or mounted whiteboard, bandages, blindfold
Alternate
Let’s practice changing the message from bad news to good news. There were lots of miracles in the Bible. At first the story seems to be bad news, a problem the person couldn’t get out of, but then there was good news because a miracle occurred. I’m going to announce the bad news, and then I want you to share a message of good news. Tell how the story ended with a miracle. You can share this message any way you like, use a pretend microphone, write it on a paper, announce it like a newscaster, shout it like a cheerleader or any other way you’d like to get your message spread. Read each statement and have your child finish the story by telling the ‘good news’ ending, or miracle. Let them be creative in how they share their message to the room. Continue until each person has had a turn to share good news or the list is complete.
Bad news…
Daniel is about to be eaten by lions! Good news…
David is going to get beat by Goliath and the Phillistines Good news…
All of Sodom and Gomorah is going to be destroyed Good news…
The Israelites will forever be enslaved by Pharaoh Good news…
The wedding runs out of wine and the family will be shamed. Good news…
The widow is using her last bit of flour and oil to make a last meal. Good news…
5,000 people don’t have lunch after listening to Jesus preach all morning. Good news…
Materials:
Independent activity:
Have you ever known someone who was sick? What are some things we can do to cheer up someone who is feeling bad or is sick? One thing we can do to pass an encouraging message to a sick friend, make and send a get well card. Using craft items you have at home, make a greeting card and add a message of encouragement.
Materials: Crafting items, card stock paper, crayons, markers, stickers etc.
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Psalm 77:11-14
In this scripture the Psalmist is saying they will remember everything God has done in the past. It then goes on to say that God is the who preforms miracles. We can also believe that God didn’t just perform miracles long ago, but that He still performs miracles today.
Where did Peter send the widows who were in the room with Tabitha’s body?
How did word spread if they were not in the room when the miracle happened?
What is good news you’ve heard that is worth spreading?
We can spread good or bad news. How can we spread the good and stop the bad?
Could the disciples perform the same miracle Jesus had performed?
What are some miracles the disciples performed when Jesus wasn’t there?
Practical Application at Home
We know lots of bible stories that tell of the miracles God did for Israel and for His people who believed, but we can also know that God still performs miracles today. The bible says that God is the same and He does not change, so if He could perform miracles then, He can still perform them now. Miracles come in all sizes. A miracle doesn’t have to be huge in order to be a miracle. Think about a miracle you have seen happen to you or someone you know. Share that story with each other. When we share the miracles we witness we are passing on a good message to build others’ faith.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?